they had had more than a couple boilermakers

but who was counting

a 4th of July picnic

they came with people

werent driving

they were unimpeded

Your Trader Joe’s bag looks heavy.

                                       it laid at the end of a wood picnic table benches attached weathered gray heavy motherfuckers  they helped pick them up move them into a kind of oval so the majority of the gathering was within conversations ears 

                                            could drop out of one not move enter another

that was earlier

some people had left some dispersed remaining food watermelon from their Igloo coolers to lighten their loads that otherwise would have to hump across a huge grassy field to the street where they parked

Its not heavier than usual

What’s in it?

Clipboard couple of books dictionary

You brought a dictionary?

Ja  One of the books nonfiction has been tripping me up even in context Im guessin Im unfamiliar

You actually think you were going to be reading today?

I was invited don know most of the people I mean look on the blanket over there People are napping

Shade. It’s warm. Heat and liquor can take it out of ya. Nothing a quick snooze can’t mitigate.

But, really, a dictionary. You could use your phone.

I didnt bring it

I don’t go anywhere without mine.

                                     Kindalike you and your canvas bag . . . with a dictionary in it.

Thasaid  A second

                     the bag was at the other end of the table pinioning on his ass he swung his legs over the bench bare feet on the grass stood stepped to the end pulled the dictionary out stepped back sat pinioned on his ass facing him again

                                         Get your phone out

he did

The word is decrement

D  E  C  R  E  M  E  N  T.  Correct?

Spot on

         Opposite increment

Yeah.

You look it up on your phone Ill find it in the dictionary  On Go  One two three Go  Okay

We’re racing?

We are

Good thing we’re drunk.

Reason  Or excuse

I could give two shits if someone asked.

people sitting around other tables overheard him

I could give two shits.

majority nodded  smiled   watched

Any bets

everyone was a gentleman  no bets   though seemed awfully curious engaged

Ya set

I am.

Put the phone down on the table  Dictionarys on the table

he did

        Whoa. A second I wanna sip of beer.

Good idea

they started sipping but the tip became a pour

emptied their heavy pint glasses  belched

group laughed

they smiled around at everyone

Okay

Okay now.

    One  two  three  Go

they did

thumb into the D tab opened the book shuffled pages

banging away at keys

Go go go . . . gang chanted

 

A reduction or diminution  I quote Relaxation produces a decrement in sympathetic youre pathetic nervous system

Ooooh  the crowd taunted

he closed the dictionary

                          Since youre still at it Ill get us another beer

not looking up from his phone he quit punching

My phone weighs less

Ja

1647,  reggaefriday,  27  6. 25

1211,  Saturday,  5  7. 25